Apparatus and method for producing air bubbles in a body of liquid

ABSTRACT

Uniformity, and therefore the effectiveness, of air barriers for confining surface water pollutants is accomplished by improving the uniformity of the air pressure in a perforated bubbling hose. This is achieved by the use of an auxiliary distributing conductor carrying air under high pressure, with a number of spaced interconnections with the bubbling hose having restrictions for dropping the pressure from the high level in the distributing conductor to a relatively low level in the bubbling hose.

United States Patent 91 Schramm et al.

[ Jan. 1, 1974 1 1 APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING AIR BUBBLES IN ABODY OF LIQUID [75] Inventors: Harold J. Schramm; John R.

McCullough, both of West Chester, Pa.

[73] Assignee: Schramm, Inc., Westchester, Pa.

[22] Filed: Jan. 15, 1973 [2]] Appl. No.: 323,623

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation of Ser. No. 83,026, Oct.22, 1970,

abandoned.

[52] US. Cl ..26l/124, 138/112, 285/156, 285/423, 239/450, 239/547 [51]Int. Cl BOlf 3/04 [58] Field Of Search 138/111,112,137; 285/137 R, 156,423; 261/30, 124; 239/212, 450, 547

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,757,965 8/1956 Andrews239/450 3,547,355 12/1970 Salazar 239/547 3,587,972 6/1971 Weeth....3,672,571 6/1972 Goodricke 239/450 Primary Examiner-Tim R. MilesAssistant ExaminerSteven H. Markowitz Att0rneyGeorge A. Smith, Jr.

[57] ABSTRACT Uniformity, and therefore the effectiveness, of airbarriers for confining surface water pollutants is accomplished byimproving the uniformity of the air pressure in a perforated bubblinghose. This is achieved by the use of an auxiliary distributing conductorcarrying air under high pressure, with a number of spacedinterconnections with the bubbling hose having restrictions for droppingthe pressure from the high level in the distributing conductor to arelatively low level in the bubbling hose.

9 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures PAIENIEDJM H974 I 3,782,704

' SHEET MP 3 FIGS.

F 4 INVENTORS HAROLD J. 'SCHRAM JOHN R. McCULLOU 5m M ERMH ATTOR NEYSPATENIEDJA! 1 an SBEH 20$ 3 INVENTORS HAROLD J. SCHRAMM 8| JOHN R.McCULLOUGH av SWH EI MM ATTORNEYS PATENTEDJMI 1 m4 SHEiT 30$ 3 FIG. n.

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INVENTORS HAROLD J. SGHRAMM 8 JOHN R. MCCULLOUGH BY 8w; 71mg 44,450

' ATTORNEYS APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING AIR BUBBLES IN A BODY OFLIQUID CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This is a continuation ofour application Ser. No. 83,026, filed Oct. 22, 1970 and now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to bubblingapparatus, and particularly to an apparatus for effecting the continuousproduction of air bubbles in a body of water. Bubble producing deviceshave been used for many purposes. Among the more important uses are theaeration of lakes, the de-icing of channels and marinas, the oxidationand turnover of sewage lagoons and stagnant bodies of water, and theconfining of water pollutants such as oil spills floating on the surfaceof a body of water. This invention, while useful in all of the aboveapplications and capable of producing superior results therein, hasparticular utility in the confining of floating pollutants, in reservoirdestratification, and wherever air distribution over long distances isinvolved in a bubbling apparatus. It will be described with particularreference to the confining of pollutants.

For some time, it has been known that floating pollutants such as oilspills, other floating chemicals, debris and flotsam and jetsam can beconfined by the use of an air barrier." An air barrier is a rising wallof water and bubbles which forms, above the surface of a body of water,a crest or a rolling mound of water and bubbles which is in an unstablecondition. From the crest, water flows horizontally outwardly (usuallyin both directions unless some obstruction exists), and generally at aright angle to the rising wall of water and bubbles.

The bubbles rise, float to the surface, and their motion apparentlyinduces some vertical upward flow of the water. More importantly,however, the mixture of bubbles and'water has a lesser average densitythan the surrounding water, and therefore tends to accelerate upwardlytoward the surface.

The vertical velocity of the water and the horizontal surface flow(which is dependent on the vertical velocity) are in turn dependent onthe depth of the water through which the bubbles can create a verticalacceleration. At the surface, the air is released to the atmosphere, andthe water forms the crest or mound, which is typically from /2 inch to 3inches above the surface. The water in the crest is in an unstablecondition, and naturally flows downhill toward either side of thebarrier.

To produce an air barrier for confining oil spills and the like, aperforated hose is arranged on the bottom, or otherwise underneath thesurface of the body of water in a configuration such that the wall ofwater produced by the rising bubbles will create a crest which containsa spill. The velocity of the water flowing from the crest opposes themovement of the oil or other pollutant across the barrier. The airbarrier need not surround the oil spill entirely. Other barriersincluding natural barriers can form part of the boundary. The bubblinghose can be moved as desired, and the resulting movement of the airbarrier will effect movement of the pollutant.

It is important that the crest of water be as high as possible, and mostimportant that it be uniform and continuous in order to avoid eddies oropenings which might allow or even hasten the passage of floatingmaterial through the barrier. The bubbling hoses which have been usedheretofore have been connected to air compressors and have perforationsdistributed along their lengths, through which the air flows to producebubbles. Except where relatively short lengths of such hose are used,the bubbling at the perforations nearest the air compressor isconsiderably more vigorous than the bubbling taking place at locationsmore remote from the compressor. Some compensation can be achieved byvarying the sizes of the openings in the bubbling hose from small tolarge as the distance from the compressor increases. However, thisexpedient is not entirely satisfactory in installations involving longlengths of bubbling hose. Differences in bubbling activity can alsoresult from depth variations. In either case, the air barrier is notuniform, and eddy currents are produced which allow the escape offloating material through the barrier. In some instances. The pressurein some parts of the hose can become so low that very few bubbles or nobubbles at all are produced. In that event, a discontinuity will existin the barrier, allowing the escape of floating material. Without thebenefit of the invention, in order to avoid such discontinuities in airbarriers, very high pressures would have to be used involving a verywasteful use of air.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with this invention, a continuousand uniform barrier is insured by providing an air distribution systemwhich improves the uniformity of the air pressure in the perforatedbubbling hose. Since, in many cases, considerable distances have to becovered by the air barrier between compressed air sources, or from aboat or shore-based compressor, an auxiliary air conductor is used todistribute air from the compressor under high pressure to various pointsalong the bubbling hose. interconnections are made at these variouspoints, each interconnection having pressure dropping means such as arestricted orifice, so that the highest pressure in the bubbling hose isconsiderably below that in the distributing air conductor. As a result,a relatively uniform and locally controlled pressure is maintainedthroughout the bubbling hose.

The invention can also be used advantageously in the various otherbubbling applications mentioned above, particularly since the system fordistributing air into the bubbling hose insures that continuous bubblingwill take place along the entire length of the hose.

The principal object of this invention is to provide a bubblingapparatus capable of producing an air barrier having a high degree ofuniformity.

Another object of the invention is to provide a hubbling hose consistingof detachable sections which may be assembled easily to produce abubbling hose of any desired length.

A further object of the invention is to provide a bubbling hose in whichadjustments can be made for depth variations along the length of thehose in order to insure uniform bubbling.

A further object of the invention is to provide a bubbling hose having ahigh degree of flexibility.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a bubbling hosehaving a high pressure distribution system, all of which is capable ofbeing wound onto spools for storage.

A still further object is to provide a weighted bubbling hose assemblyhaving a simple construction and a high degree of flexibility.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a novel method forproducing a uniform air barrier in a body of water.

Other objects will be apparent from the following description when readin conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an elevation of an assembledbubbling hose and a distributing conductor consisting of a plurality ofconnected sections;

FIG. 2 is an elevation of an interconnection between the airdistributing conductor and the bubbling hose at the compressor end ofthe system;

FIG. 3 is an elevation of an intermediate interconnection;

FIG. 4 is an elevation of an interconnection at the far end of thesystem remote from the compressor; FIG. 5 is a cross-section of theassembled bubbling hose taken on the plane 55 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a cross-section of a first modification of a bubbling hoseassembly consisting of a bubbling hose and a lead sheathed distributingconductor;

FIG. 7 is a cross-section of a second modification of a bubbling hoseand distributing conductor assembly wherein the distributing conductorhas an internal strip of lead for weight;

FIG. 8 is a cross-section of a third modification of a bubbling hose anda distributing conductor assembly in which two external strips of leadare used as weights;

FIG. 9 is a cross-section of an assembly consisting of a distributingconductor, a circular bubbling hose, and a single external strip of leadweight;

FIG. 10 is a section of an H-connector for interconnecting thedistributing conductor with the bubbling hose;

FIG. 11 is a section of an alternative I-I-connector;

FIG. 12 is a section of another alternative H- connector;

FIG. 13 is a section of another alternative H- connector havingcontinuous adjusting means; and

FIG. 14 is a section of a still further alternative H- connector havingcontinuous adjusting means.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 shows a compressor 12,which may be of various types although preferably of the reciprocatingtype capable of delivering pressures of the order of 100 psi or greater.The high pressure outlet of 'the compressor is connected through aconduit 14 which extends downwardly to an L-connector 16 for connectionof the high pressure air to the distributing conductor comprising largehose sections 18, 20, and 22 as well as legs 24, 26, 28 and 30 of Hfittings indicated respectively at 32, 34, 36 and 38. Conduit 14 ispreferably of sufficient length so that it can extend from thecompressor, located on or above the surface of the body of water or on ashore point to fitting 32 resting on the bottom of the body of water.

Three sections of bubbling hose are indicated at 40, 42 and 44. Each isassociated with one of the distributing conductor sections, and attachedin substantially parallel relation thereto by clamps such as clamps 46and other matter. Alternatively, the openings can be and 48. Variousalternatives, such as a helically wound tape or cement may be usedinstead. The bubbling hoses deviate at their ends from parallel relationwith the distributing conductors in order to reach the legs of the Hfitting indicated at 50, 52, 54 and 56.

Each H fitting has a cross-member connecting its respective legs,cross-members for the fittings 32-38, being shown respectively at 58,60, 62 and 64.

In order to hold the assembly on the floor of the body of water in whichit is used, each section is weighted down with a lead strip woundhelically about the distributing conductor and the bubbling hose. Leadstrips are indicated at 66, 68 and 70. The helically wound lead stripnot only provides weight, but also aids the clamps in fastening thebubbling hose to the distributing conductor. The helical configurationpermits a certain degree of flexibility, allowing the assembly to bearranged in the desired configuration easily. The weight not only holdsthe bubbling assembly down, but also provides a certain degree ofstiffness for resisting propeller wash, tidal currents and wave action.

Of course, it is not necessary that the assembly be held in the bottomof the body of water. Alternatively,

it might be held in an intermediate position between the surface and thebottom of suitable devices such as anchors or floats. Where these areused, however, it may be necessary to insure that the assembly remainsin a rigid condition so that parts do not sag in the water when theybecome filled with water.

FIG. 5 is a cross-section of the section comprising distributingconductor 18 and bubbling hose 40. Conductor 18 is preferably a circularrubber hose, although other materials and configurations may be used.The cross-sectional area of its internal passage 72 is larger than thecross-section of the internal passage of the bubbling hose 40 so thatthe air flowing through passage 72 is relatively unrestricted. The largepassage 72 is provided in order to avoid substantial pressure drop inthe distributing conductor.

Bubbling hose 40 is in the form of an elongated conductor preferably ofthe polyvinyl chloride type having three parallel internal passagesalthough other materials and configurations may be used. Passages areindicated at 74, 76 and 78. An opening 80 is provided in the wall of oneof the passages, and this opening allows the escape of air to producebubbles. Openings can be provided at any desired positions along passage76, or they may be provided in the other passages 74 and 78, or in anycombination of the passages, depending on the bubbling characteristicsdesired.

The openings can be in the form of slits, preferably running lengthwiseof the bubbling hose. These slits are self-cleaning, and tend to closeand seal the hose when pressure is removed to prevent the entrance ofsand drilled holes, machined orifices, self-closing check valves, orsmall inserts of porous material which allow air to pass when pressureis applied, and which allow water to flow back into the bubbling hosewhen pressure is turned off, but which keep all but the finest foreignmatter from passing into the bubbling hose. External flaps or lips andseals over the openings can also be used.

FIG. 10 illustrates H-fitting 34 (which is identical to fitting 36).Within leg 26 there exists a large-diameter passage 82 which isconnected by means of threads 84 and 86 and threaded adapters, tosections 18 and 20 of the distributing conductor, and itself, forms partof the distributing conductors. Air travels from passage 82 through apassage within cross-member 60 to the interior of leg 52 which connectsto section 40 of the bubbling hose through fitting 88 and to section 42of the bubbling hose through fitting 90. Leg 26 is part of a T-connector having a leg 92 with internal threads 94. A fitting 96 isthreaded into threads 94, and leg 98, which is a leg of the T-connectorof leg 52, is threaded into internal threads 100 of fitting 96. A metalplug 102 having a restricted orifice 104 rests on shoulder 106 withinfitting 96, and is tightly held in position on shoulder 106 by the end108 of leg 98. Orifice 104 is positioned so that all of the air flowingfrom the distributing conductor to the bubbling hose throughcross-member 60 must pass through the orifice. The restriction producesa pressure drop so that the pressure within the bubbling hose is lessthan the pressure in the distributing conductor. Plug 102 can bereplaced by removal of leg 98 from fitting 96, and plugs havingdifferent orifices may be used to replace it, if desired, in order toeffect different pressure drops.

All of the H-fittings 32-38 are substantially identical, the onlydifference being that the fittings at the near and far ends, shownrespectively in FIGS. 2 and 4, are provided with caps 110 and 112instead of being connected to bubbling hose.

The restrictions need not be in the cross-members of the H-fittings, butmay be in the legs which form part of the bubbling conductor. Forexample, plugs having restricted orifices might be mounted in either endof leg 52 of fitting 34. As another alternative restriction can beprovided by adjustable valves.

The entire assembly in FIG. 1 is sufficiently flexible that it can bewound on large spools for shipment or storage. The assembly can be paidout from shore, from the deck of a barge or boat, or even from aircraftby unwinding the spool. The spool can be conveniently mounted on acombination tractor-compressor so that it can be convenientlytransported from place to place along with its air source.Alternatively, the assembly can be placed in the body of watersection-by-section, interconnections being made at the H-fittings oneafter another.

With the assembly in place underneath the surface of the body of water,compressor 12 is operated, and bubbles rise uniformly from the apparatusproducing uniform bubbling. Pressure will be lowest at the intermediatepoints in each bubbling hose section, but the sections are relativelyshort so that the pressure variations along their lengths arenegligible. In addition, the pressure can be controlled in the varioussections to compensate for differences in depth along the length of theapparatus and in order to produce varying bubbling characteristics wheredesired.

If desired, the assembly can be moved while in operation in order toeffect movement of the pollutant or in order to effect a contraction ofthe area covered by the pollutant to facilitate its removal by skimmingdevices or absorbants.

In the event that certain parts of the body of water are substantiallydeeper than others so that some parts of the bubbling assembly will belower than others and subject to high external pressures, it may benecessary to compensate for the depth differences. This can beaccomplished by having less restriction in those parts of the assemblylying on deeper parts of the floor of the body of water.

Under some circumstances, not all of the interconnections are requiredto have restrictions. For example, if there are only twointerconnections, and an adequate pressure drop exists along thedistributing conductor, only the interconnection nearest the compressorneeds to have a restricted orifice.

Various structural modifications can be made in the bubbling hoseassembly particularly with regard to the configuration of the weights.Various heavy materials other than lead may be used for weight.

Since many high pressure air hoses are lead encased during theirmanufacture, while the rubber is vulcanized at high temperatures, it isconvenient to leave the lead casing in place rather than to strip it offto expose the finished hose surface. The finished distributing conductorin FIG. 6 is of such a construction. It consists of a circular rubberhose 114 completely covered by a lead sheath 1 16. The lead sheathprovides sufficient ballast to hold the entire assembly under water,while allowing a high degree of flexibility. The bubbling hose 118 isheld in place by clamps, one of which is shown at 120 although variousalternatives, for example, helically-wound tape or cement might be usedinstead. The lead sheath is particularly advantageous because it adds agreat deal of weight to the high-pressure hose without taking up muchspace.

As an alternative, a lead strip extending lengthwise within the interiorof the distributing conductor can be used as a weight, as shown in FIG.7. The distributing conductor 122 has a lead strip 124 within theinterior passage 126. Strip 124 is of sufficient size to hold the entireassembly under water, but does not substantially affect the flow of airin passage 126. Each section of the distributing conductor is preferablyprovided with a separate lead strip.

As shown in FIG. 8, lengthwise lead strips 128 and 130 can be clamped bymeans of a clamp 132 on the outside of a distributing conductor 134.

FIG. 9 shows a different form of bubbling hose 136, having a singlecircular passage 138 and transverse openings, one of which is shown at140. A clamp 142 clamps hose 136 and a lengthwise lead strip 144 to adistributing conductor 146. The interconnections are similar to thoseshown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4.

FIG. 11 shows an alternative interconnecting means comprising a pair ofT-connectors 148 and 150 having respectively legs 152 and 154 threadedtogether to provide a passage for the flow of air from the distributingconductor to the bubbling conductor. A restriction effecting a pressuredrop is provided by opening 156 in plug 158, which is clamped toshoulder 160 by the end 162 of leg 154.

FIG. 12 shows an interconnecting H-fitting made up of T-connectors 164and 166 respectively having legs 168 and 170 threaded together andforming an interconnecting passage for the flow of air from thedistributing conductor to the bubbling conductor. Unlike the fittings inFIGS. 10 and 11, this fitting does not have a separate plug with arestricted orifice. Rather, the end 172 of leg 170 has a built-inrestricted orifice 174.

FIG. 13 shows an alternative I-I-fitting comprising T- connectors 176and 178 respectively having legs 180 and 182 threaded together toprovide a passage 184 for the flow of air from the distributingconductor to the bubbling conductor. Leg 182 is provided with internalthreads 186 in which is threaded a valve member 188 having a bolt-likehead 190 for wrench operation. Valve member 188 has a T-shaped internalpassage 192 allowing the flow of air. The end 194 of member 188 oppositehead 190 cooperates with a valve seat 196 to provide an adjustablerestriction. Where this fitting is used, adjustments can easily be madeto compensate for depth variations to produce uniform bubbling activity.

FIG. 14 shows a still further alternative H-fitting comprisingT-connectors 198 and 200 respectively having legs 202 and 204 threadedtogether to provide a passage 206 for the flow of air from thedistributing conductor to the bubbling conductor. The end of the leg 204has a built-in restriction 208 for producing a pressure drop. The upperend of the restriction is bevelled at 210 to form a valve seat whichcooperates with end 212 of valve stem 214. Valve stem 214 is providedwith threads 216 which cooperate with internat threads 218 in boss 220projecting outwardly from the wall of T-connector 200 opposite leg 204.A notch 222 is provided in the outer end of stem 214 for adjustment ofthe valve seating by a-screwdriver. A locking nut is indicated at 224.With this H-fitting, continuous adjustments of pressure drop andtherefore of bubbling activity can be made by a diver while the bubblingapparatus is in operation.

It will be apparent that various other modifications can be made to thebubbling apparatus in accordance with the invention, and that itsutility is not limited to the production of air barriers. While thedistributing conductor is ,desirably flexible, in some installationsnon-flexible metal or plastic pipe might be used.

We claim:

1. lnterconnecting means for delivering air from a distributingconductor to an elongated air conductor having an internal passage and aplurality of openings distributed along its length for allowing outwardflow of air to produce bubbles in a body of liquid comprising:

a pair of mating conductors, one adapted to connect to said distributingconductor, and the other adapted to connect to said elongated airconductor so that together they form an interconnecting passage,

threaded means for detachably fastening said mating conductors togetherin mating relationship,

a plug having a restricted orifice for producing a pressure drop acrossthe interconnection between said distributing conductor and said airconductor, and

means for removably fastening said plug within the interconnectingpassage.

2. interconnecting means according to claim 1 wherein said matingconductors are the legs of separate T-connectors.

3. Apparatus adapted to be connected to a compressor for producing airbubbles in a body of liquid comprising:

at least one elongated air conductor having an internal passage and aplurality of openings distributed along its length for allowing air toflow outwardly from its internal passage to produce bubbles,

an additional conductor having an opening adapted to be connected to acompressor, and an internal passage communicating with said opening andadapted to conduct air from said compressor under high pressure,

means interconnecting the internal passage of said elongated airconductor with the internal passage of said additional conductor at atleast two separate locations both remote from said compressor, and

means for producing a pressure drop across the interconnection nearestsaid opening,

said elongated air conductor comprising at least two detachable sectionsand said additional conductor comprising at least two detachablesections, each section of said elongated conductor being attached to asection of said additional conductor, and including a first fittinghaving three ports, two of which connect a pair of said sections of saidelongated conductor, and a second fitting having three ports, two ofwhich connect a pair of said sections of said additional conductor, theremaining ports of said fittings being interconnected to provide saidinterconnecting means.

4. Apparatus adapted to be connected to a compressor for producing airbubbles in a body of liquid comprising:

a first elongated air conductor having an internal passage continuous atall times throughout its length,

a plurality of openings spaced longitudinally along the length of saidconductor for allowing air to flow outwardly from its internal passageto produce bubbles,

a second elongated air conductor fastened in substantially parallelrelation to said elongated air conductor and adapted to conduct air froma compressor under high pressure,

a plurality of restricted interconnecting means connecting the passagesof said conductors and having a longitudinal spacing greater than thelongitudinal spacing of said openings,

whereby the air within said first conductor is maintained at asubstantially uniform pressure, and

in which the first air conductor comprises a plurality of detachablesections, and the second air conductor also comprises a plurality ofdetachable sections, each section of said first conductor being fastenedin substantially parallel relation to a section of said secondconductor, and having H fittings connecting the adjoining ends ofcorresponding sections of said air conductors, the restrictedinterconnecting means being located in said H fittings.

5. Apparatus for releasing air bubbles into a body of liquid comprising:

an elongated air distributing conductor adapted to conduct air from acompressor under high pressure, said distributing conductor comprising aplurality of flexible, interconnected detachable sections,

a flexible bubbling hose comprising a plurality of flexibleinterconnected, detachable sections, each section of bubbling hose beingfastened to one of said flexible, interconnected conductor sections insubstantially parallel relationship and close proximity thereto, to forma flexible two-conductor bubbler adapted to be wound onto spools, eachend of each bubbling hose section being located adjacent a different endof the flexible, interconnected section to which it is fastened, andeach of said bubbling hose sections having openings spacedlongitudinally along its length for allowing air to flow outwardly fromits internal passage to release bubbles,

a fitting located at each interconnection of the elongated airdistributing conductor, said fitting including: means forinterconnecting the adjacent ends of the distributing conductor sectionsand providing open communication between said sections, and restrictedinterconnecting means for interconnecting the interior of thedistributing conductor with the bubbling hose on the interconnectedsection of the air distributing conductor whereby the air within thebubbling hose may be maintained at a substantially more uniformpressure.

6. Apparatus according to claim in which each said restrictedinterconnecting means comprises a pair of separable mating conductors,forming an interconnecting passage and a plug having a restrictedorifice removably secured within said interconnecting passage.

7. Apparatus according to claim 5 in which each said restrictedinterconnecting means comprises a pair of separable mating conductorsforming an interconnecting passage and a plug having a restrictedorifice located within said interconnecting passage and clamped betweenseats formed on said mating conductors.

8. Apparatus according to claim 5 in which each said restrictedinterconnecting means comprises a pair of separable mating conductorsthreaded together to form an interconnecting passage and a plug having arestricted orifice located within said interconnecting passage andclamped between seats formed on said mating conductors.

9. Apparatus according to claim 5 including continuously adjustablemeans for adjusting the restriction in said restricted interconnectingmeans.

1. Interconnecting means for delivering air from a distributingconductor to an elongated air conductor having an internal passage and aplurality of openings distributed along its length for allowing outwardflow of air to produce bubbles in a body of liquid comprising: a pair ofmating conductors, one adapted to connect to said distributingconductor, and the other adapted to connect to said elongated airconductor so that together they form an interconnecting passage,threaded means for detachably fastening said mating conductors togetherin mating relationship, a plug having a restricted orifice for producinga pressure drop across the interconnection between said distributingconductor and said air conductor, and means for removably fastening saidplug within the interconnecting passage.
 2. Interconnecting meansaccording to claim 1 wherein said mating conductors are the legs ofseparate T-connectors.
 3. Apparatus adapted to be connected to acompressor for producing air bubbles in a body of liquid comprising: atleast one elongated air conductor having an internal passage and aplurality of openings distributed along its length for allowing air toflow outwardly from its internal passage to produce bubbles, anadditional conductor having an opening adapted to be connected to acompressor, and an internal passage communicating with said opening andadapted to conduct air from said compressor under high pressure, meansinterconnecting the internal passage of said elongated air conductorwith the internal passage of said additional conductor at at least twoseparate locations both remote from said compressor, and means forproducing a pressure drop across the interconnection nearest saidopening, said elongated air conductor comprising at least two detachablesections and said additional conductor comprising at least twodetachable sections, each section of said elongated conductor beingattached to a section of said additional conductor, and including afirst fitting having three ports, two of which connect a pair of saidsections of said elongated conductor, and a second fitting having threeports, two of which connect a pair of said sections of said additionalconductor, the remaining ports of said fittings being interconnected toprovide said interconnecting means.
 4. Apparatus adapted to be connectedto a compressor for producing air bubbles in a body of liquidcomprising: a first elongated air conductor having an internal passagecontinuous at all times throughout its length, a plurality of openingsspaced longitudinally along the length of said conductor for allowingair to flow outwardly from its internal passage to produce bubbles, asecond elongated air conductor fastened in substantially parallelrelation to said elongated air conductor and adapted to conduct air froma compressor under high pressure, a plurality of restrictedinterconnecting means connecting the passages of said conductors andhaving a longitudinal spacing greater than the longitudinal spacing ofsaid openings, whereby the air within said first conductor is maintainedat a substantially uniform pressure, and in which the first airconductor comprises a plurality of detachable sections, and the secondair conductor also comprises a plurality of detachable sections, eachsection of said first conductor being fastened in substantially parallelrelation to a section of said second conductor, and having H fittingsconnecting the adjoining ends of corresponding sections of said airconductors, the restricted interconnecting means being located in said Hfittings.
 5. Apparatus for releasing air bubbles into a body of liquidcomprising: an elongated air distributing conductor adapted to conductair from a compressor under high pressure, said distributing conductorcomprising a plurality of flexible, interconnected detachable sections,a flexible bubbling hose comprising a plurality of flexibleinterconnected, detachable sections, each section of bubbling hose beingfastened to one of said flexible, interconnected conductor sections insubstantially parallel relationship and close proximity thereto, to forma flexible two-conductor bubbler adapted to be wound onto spools, eachend of each bubbling hose section being located adjacent a different endof the flexible, interconnected section to which it is fastened, andeach of said bubbling hose sections having openings spacedlongitudinally along its length for allowing air to flow outwardly fromits internal passage to release bubbles, a fitting located at eachinterconnection of the elongated air distributing conductor, saidfitting including: means for interconnecting the adjacent ends of thedistributing conductor sections and providing open communication beTweensaid sections, and restricted interconnecting means for interconnectingthe interior of the distributing conductor with the bubbling hose on theinterconnected section of the air distributing conductor whereby the airwithin the bubbling hose may be maintained at a substantially moreuniform pressure.
 6. Apparatus according to claim 5 in which each saidrestricted interconnecting means comprises a pair of separable matingconductors, forming an interconnecting passage and a plug having arestricted orifice removably secured within said interconnectingpassage.
 7. Apparatus according to claim 5 in which each said restrictedinterconnecting means comprises a pair of separable mating conductorsforming an interconnecting passage and a plug having a restrictedorifice located within said interconnecting passage and clamped betweenseats formed on said mating conductors.
 8. Apparatus according to claim5 in which each said restricted interconnecting means comprises a pairof separable mating conductors threaded together to form aninterconnecting passage and a plug having a restricted orifice locatedwithin said interconnecting passage and clamped between seats formed onsaid mating conductors.
 9. Apparatus according to claim 5 includingcontinuously adjustable means for adjusting the restriction in saidrestricted interconnecting means.